There are days when I find myself bemoaning the state of television. And there are days – like the one when I sat down to write this survey of the year – when I think the state of the medium is strong.

There was enough good stuff on and about television this past 12 months that a number of strong possibilities didn’t make the cut for this list. (I feel particularly bad about “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case,” PBS’ “Bleak House,” “South Park” and the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block of shows.) But, regrets aside, here are the 25 best things about TV in 2006:

HBO Sunday night dramas

If I listed the dramatic series from HBO separately, “The Wire” would be No. 1. “Deadwood” would be No. 2, “The Sopranos” somewhere in the top 5 and “Big Love” might have squeezed into the bottom of the rankings. Let’s just acknowledge that if it’s Sunday night, it’s time for HBO.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)

The most completely satisfying hour of entertainment on network TV.

“24” (Fox)

The premise initially looked like a one-trick pony. But “24” had its best season ever – in its fifth year.

“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”

“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)

Smart, on-target satire that cuts through cultural hype and political spin.

“Battlestar Galactica” (Sci Fi)

Sure, it has spaceships and Cylons. But the show tackles very complex, risky topics on a weekly basis and does it with intelligence and passion.

“Weeds” (Showtime)

Solidified its spot as the best, edgiest comedy on American TV.

BBC America

How essential is cable’s BBC America? Let me count the ways: “The Thick of It,” “Footballers’ Wives,” “Life on Mars,” “Viva Blackpool: Ripley’s Return,” “The Street,” “Hex,” “Bad Girls,” “Rocket Man” and the return of “Cracker.” There’s a reason the first four series are being remade for American TV.

“Lost” (ABC)

No. 1 last year at this time. It has seemed a bit off its game so far this season, but it’s still a strong show.

“The Shield”

“Rescue Me” (FX)

Superior series that make FX the must-see channel on basic cable.

“When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” (HBO)

A powerful documentary and one of Spike Lee’s best films ever.

“Heroes”

“Friday Night Lights” (NBC)

The first is a big hit; the second is struggling to find an audience. But these are the best of the networks’ new series.

“Project Runway” (Bravo)

Absolutely addictive, and never more so than this season.

“Dexter”

“Brotherhood” (Showtime)

“Dexter” was the more compelling of these new, very good Showtime dramas. Together, they proved that the cable channel is gaining some ground on rival HBO.

“House” (Fox)

The storyline about Gregory House’s Vicodin addiction has been going on a bit too long, but the series remains appointment TV on Tuesdays.

“Prime Suspect: The Final Act” (PBS)

A marvelous swan song for Helen Mirren’s Jane Tennison.

“The Office”

“My Name Is Earl” (NBC)

The funniest hour on network TV. And “Scrubs” makes it 90 minutes.

“Ugly Betty” (ABC)

A heady mix of solid family drama, high camp and cheeky observations on our obsession with looks and fashion. And this new series is getting stronger as it goes along.

“Entourage” (HBO)

An always-clever comedy that really hit its stride.

“Meerkat Manor” (Animal Planet)

Who knew life with a tribe of meerkats could be sweet, funny and emotionally involving?

“MI-5” (A&E)

The most abused series on TV. A&E executives ought to be whipped for the way they handled this excellent spy drama, scheduling it at weird times and cutting off the most recent season after just two episodes.

“Veronica Mars” (UPN/CW)

A big, sharp drop from No. 5, where it was in 2005, because the storytelling has lost some of its spark. Still, snappy dialogue and the performance by Kristen Bell keep it on the list.

“The Tonight Show” (NBC)

Ever since Jay Leno agreed to give up his late-night crown a couple of years from now, it’s like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. His jibes were sharper and more knowing this year than those of – dare I say? – David Letterman.

“The Amazing Race” (CBS)

After last year’s unwatchable family edition, it’s been game-on for this top reality series.

“Broken Trail” (AMC)

An old-fashioned but compelling western miniseries with top performances by Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church.

“10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America” (History)

An ambitious and innovative series of documentaries by top filmmakers on such major bits of American history as the battle of Antietam, Shay’s Rebellion, the Homestead steel strike, the Scopes trial and Elvis’ first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show.”

Contact Charlie McCollum at cmccollum@mercurynews.com or (408)920-5245. His blog on the world of TV appears at www.mercextra.com/aei.

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